Hose reel spool

ABSTRACT

A hose reel spool has an annular ring defining an axial hub, and two concave side walls. The side walls extend radially outward from the ends of the annular ring, and slant axially inward to converge towards each other as they extent radially outward.

Reference is made to non-provisional application Ser. No. ______entitled “HOSE REEL FRAME AND GUIDE ARM,” filed on even date with thisapplication by inventors Anthony Shakal and John Holman, and tonon-provisional application Ser. No. ______ entitled “HOSE REEL LATCH,”filed on even date with this application by inventors Anthony Shakal andScott Hill.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to hose reels, and moreparticularly to hose reel spools having sides that retain the hose onthe spool.

Hose reels are commonly used to consolidate fluid-carrying hoses. Woundhoses take up less space, and are less likely to become entangled withsurroundings. Industrial hose reels are often biased with torsionsprings or counterweights to automatically wind up in the absence of anextending force on the hose attached to the reels.

Hose reels commonly comprise three primary components: a spool, a frame,and a guide arm. Hose reel spools typically comprise a hub with acylindrical wall and axially opposite side walls. The side walls andcylindrical wall together define an annular retaining area in whichwound hose is stored. An anchored end of a hose is usually passedthrough or attached to a hose mount on the cylindrical wall. This hosemount is commonly angled to prevent the hose from bending excessivelywhen it coils about the spool. Many hose reels also include a frame orstand which supports and anchors the spool. Such frames may attach toone or both sides of the spool. Hose frames must be able to support thefull weight of a spool loaded with hose, as well as any strainsassociated with winding and unwinding the hose. Some hose reels alsoinclude guide arms to direct the spooling of the hose, thereby ensuringthat the hose coils properly onto the spool. Like frames, guide arms mayattach to one or both sides of the hose reel. Most guide arms arerotatably attached, so as to allow the hose to be spooled and unspooledat a range of angles.

In the past, some hose reels have included ratcheting latch assembliesto prevent hose reels from retracting or re-spooling the hose while inuse. These latch assemblies typically include a pawl on one of eitherthe hose reel frame or the guide arm, and a toothed ratchet elementaffixed to one side of the spool. Previous hose reels have includedmounts for a pawl on either the frame or the guide arm, but not both,typically due to the increased cost and manufacturing time required. Thepawl engages the ratchet element to limit rotation of the spool,preventing it from spooling. With such latch assemblies, a latched hoseis retracted by first unspooling the hose slightly to disengage theratcheting element from the pawl. This can prove difficult if a pawlengages while the hose is fully unspooled. In such a case, it may not bepossible to unlatch and re-spool the hose without disassembling the hosereel. It is possible to ensure that this situation never arises bymanufacturing the ratchet element on the radially opposite side of thespool from the hose mount, and installing the pawl on the guide arm.When the hose is fully unspooled, the hose mount will align radiallywith the guide arm. As a result, a pawl mounted on the guide arm cannever engage a ratchet element opposite the hose mount while the hose isfully extended. This solution is not available where the hose reel doesnot include a guide arm. In applications where the guide arm is omittedto save expense, weight, or space, the latch must be mounted elsewhere,or not at all.

Hose reels are preferably strong, compact, and easily assembled. In thepast, hose reel frames have sometimes been constructed with axiallyoutward-extending support flanges, and hose reel spools have sometimesbeen constructed with axially outward-angled dished side walls. Suchconstructions provide additional strength, but are bulkier than a flatspool, and therefore necessitate a larger frame with a wider footprint.Ease of assembly is important both during and after manufacture; inparticular, it is desirable that hose reels be easily adaptable todifferent working conditions and applications.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a hose reel spool with twoconcave, dished side walls bracketing a cylindrical wall. The side wallsangle axially inward, converging towards each other as they extendradially outward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of a hose reel frame and guidearm of the present invention, together with a hose reel spool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the spool shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the spool of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the spool alongcross-section 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close-up cross-sectional view of region R from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a base of the hose reel frame of FIGS. 1 a and1 b.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are side and front views, respectively, of the baseand a side section of the hose reel frame of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another side section of the hose reel frame ofFIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembled hose reel frame of FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d, are left side, front, top, and rightside views, respectably, of an L-shaped piece of the guide arm of FIGS.1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 11 a is a side view of an I-shaped piece of the guide arm of FIGS.1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 11 b is a cross-sectional view of the I-shaped guide arm piece ofFIG. 11 a along cross-section 11 b-11 b.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembled guide arm of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 a is a partial perspective view of the hose reel frame and guidearm of FIG. 1, showing locations for a latch assembly including a pawl.

FIG. 13 b is a partial side view of the hose reel frame and guide arm ofFIG. 13 a, showing the latch assembly of FIG. 13 a attached to the hosereel frame.

FIG. 13 c is a partial side view of the hose reel frame and guide arm ofFIG. 13 a, showing the latch assembly of FIG. 13 a attached to the guidearm.

FIG. 14 a is a side view of the pawl of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 14 b is a cross-sectional view of the pawl of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 14 c is an exploded view of the pawl of FIG. 13 a.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b are isolated views of the latch assembly of FIGS. 13a-c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b depict hose reel assembly 10 comprising spool 12 (withside walls 108 a and 108 b), frame 14 (with frame base 26 and framesides 28 a and 28 b having flanges 30 and studs 29), guide arm 16 (withL-shaped piece 32 and I-shaped piece 34, each having holes or indents31), hose 18, hole 20, anchor 22, mounting hardware 23, ratchet element24, and pawl 25 (drawn in phantom behind guide arm 16). FIGS. 1 a and 1b also illustrate winding direction W and unwinding direction UW. Spool12 rotates to spool and unspool hose 18 wound about a centralcylindrical surface and between the sides of spool 12.

Spool 12 comprises axial hub 104 (not visible in FIG. 1 a or 1 b; seeFIG. 2) and radially extending first side wall 108 a, and second sidewall 108 b. As depicted, spool 12 turns in winding direction W to spooland unwinding direction UW to unspool hose 18. In other embodiments,spool 12 may be manufactured to spool and unspool hose 18 in theopposite directions. Frame 14 supports spool 12 and guide arm 16. Guidearm 16 extends from frame 14 to retain hose 18 as shown. Spool 12 isrotatably attached to frame 14 by mounting hardware 23, which in someembodiments is a central axle or pin running through spool 12, framesides 28 a and 28 b, and pieces 32 and 34 of guide arm 16. In oneembodiment, spool 12 is biased (by, for example, a torsion spring) torotate in winding direction W in the absence of a contrary force,thereby spooling hose 18. Sides 108 a and 108 b of spool 12 angleaxially inward as they extend radially outward, with side 108 a angledtoward side 108 b, and vice versa. This angled construction strengthensspool 12 and avoids contact between side walls 108 a and 108 b, andflanges 30 (discussed below).

Frame 14 comprises horizontal frame base 26 and vertical frame sides 28a and 28 b. Frame sides 28 a and 28 b are anchored to frame base 26,which forms the foundation of frame 14. Frame side 28 a is welded toframe base 26 to form a single L-shaped frame piece. Frame side 28 b isnot welded to frame base 26, but is fastened to frame base 26 when frame14 is assembled. The L-shaped piece comprising frame side 28 a and framebase 26 combines with frame side 28 b (an I-shaped piece) to form theU-shape of frame 14. Frame sides 28 a and 28 b support spool 12 andguide arm 16 via mounting hardware 23, as previously discussed. Base 26does not extend axially wider than guide arm 16. Frame sides 28 a and 28b incorporate flanges 30 to strengthen frame 14. Ranges 30 are locatedon the interior faces of sides 28 a and 28 b, and are widest at framebase 26, tapering vertically into frame sides 28 a and 28 b. Becauseflanges 30 are located on the interior faces of sides 28 a and 28 b,flanges 30 contribute no additional width to hose reel 10. As previouslydiscussed, sides 108 a and 108 b of spool 30 angle axially inward towardeach other, thereby avoiding contact with flanges 30.

Guide arm 16 is also attached to frame 14, and rotates about the axis ofspool 12, but independently from spool 12. Guide arm 16 may be attacheddirectly to frame 14 via one or more fasteners, or anchored to frame 14by mounting hardware 23. In one embodiment, studs 29 are arranged in acircular array on frame 14, and couple to holes or indents 31 in guidearm 16 to anchor guide arm 16 at a range of predefined angles. The freeend of hose 18 passes through hole 20 in guide arm 16, but cannot fullyretract into spool 12 because of anchor 22 on hose 18, which is toolarge to fit through hole 20. Anchor 22 may be a rubber or plastic blocksecured about hose 18. Guide arm 16 is comprised of two pieces: L-shapedpiece 32, comprising one side and the front of guide arm 16, andI-shaped piece 34, comprising the opposite side of guide arm 16.L-shaped piece 32 and I-shaped piece 34 are fastened together to formguide arm 16, as shown.

Ratchet element 24 is affixed to spool 12, and interfaces with pawl 25on guide arm 16 to prevent hose 18 from retracting undesirably. Ratchetelement 24 spans only a partial radial arc of spool 12, as shown, andtherefore only aligns with pawl 25 for a fraction of each rotation ofspool 12. When ratchet element 24 rotates in the UW direction intoalignment with pawl 25, pawl 25 catches with ratchet element 24,exerting a counter-rotational force which prevents rotation of spool 12in the W direction. When ratchet element 24 is unaligned with pawl 25,or rotates into in the W direction into alignment with pawl 25, pawl 25does not catch on ratchet element 24, and does not prevent spool 12 fromrotating in either direction. Although pawl 25 is shown mounted on guidearm 16 in FIG. 1 a, pawl 25 may alternatively be mounted on frame 14.

II. Spool 12

FIG. 2 is a front view of spool 12 (with spool halves 102 a and 102 b)comprising axial hub 104 (with outer cylindrical wall 106 having hosemount 112), side wall 108 a (with outer annular lip 118 a), and sidewall 108 b (with outer annular lip 118 b and annular ridge 114). Outercylindrical wall 106 and side walls 108 a and 108 b together defineannular hose retention area 110.

As previously stated, spool 12 is comprised of axial hub 104 and sidewalls 108 a and 108 b. Axial hub 104 comprises inner end wall 120 (notvisible in FIG. 2; see FIG. 3) and outer cylindrical wall 106. Outercylindrical wall 106 is the radially outermost cylindrical portion ofaxial hub 104. Side walls 108 a and 108 b are annular flanges whichextend radially outward from the edges of outer cylindrical wall 106.Together with side walls 108 a and 108 b, outer cylindrical wall 106defines hose retention area 110, an annular space into which hose 18coils for storage. In one embodiment, spool 12 is formed in two halves.First spool half 102 a includes first side wall 108 a and outercylindrical wall portion 106 a. Second spool half 102 b includes secondside wall 108 b and outer cylindrical wall portion 106 b. Spool 12 isformed by welding or screwing together first spool half 102 a and secondspool half 102 b.

Hose 18 mounts on outer cylindrical wall 106 at hose mount 112, which isangled counterclockwise so as not to excessively bend hose 18 where itconnects to hose mount 112. In one embodiment, hose mount 112 is apassage through cylindrical wall 106 through which hose 18 is threaded.In another embodiment, hose mount 112 is an attachment point for one endof hose 18, and axial hub 104 further comprises connection apparatus toroute fluid from a fluid source into hose 18. In one embodiment, ratchetelement 24 is mounted on a radially opposite side of spool 12 from hosemount 112 to avoid locking of ratchet element 24.

When hose is spooled onto spool 12 through hole 20 of guide arm 16 (seeFIGS. 1 a and 1 b), it piles up naturally in a pyramidal shape seldommore than four hose widths wide at outer cylindrical wall 106, andgenerally narrower as it stacks radially outward. Outer cylindrical wall106 is therefore designed to be only slightly more than four hose widthswide, since additional width would increase the bulk of hose reelassembly 10 without benefit.

Annular ridge 114 extends axially outward from outer cylindrical wall106 to provide a radially flat surface for the attachment of a cover(not shown) for spool 12. Annular ridge 114 is described in greaterdetail along with FIG. 3. Side walls 108 a and 108 b are angled axiallyinward as they extend radially outward: side wall 108 a is angled towardside wall 108 b, and vice versa. This angled construction strengthensspool 12 without increasing spool width.

FIG. 3 is a side view of spool 12, showing side wall 108 b, annularridge 114, mounting holes 116, outer annular lip 118 b, inner end wall120 with mounting location 122, and ratchet element 24. As previouslydiscussed, axial hub 104 comprises inner end wall 120 and outercylindrical wall 106. Inner end wall 120 is a flat radial surfacespanning the interior of spool 12, radially inward of cylindrical wall106 (see FIG. 2). Inner end wall 120 also includes mounting location122. Mounting hardware 25 is secured at mounting location 122 to supportspool 12 on frame 14. In one embodiment, mounting hardware 24 is a shaftor pin, and mounting location 122 is a passage through inner end wall120, though which mounting hardware fits. Mounting location 122 isdescribed in greater depth below.

Annular ridge 114 is a region of side wall 108 b through which mountingholes 116 are bored. Holes 116 allow a cover (not shown) to be screwedor riveted to side wall 108 b at annular ridge 114, if so desired.Annular ridge 114 is located at one end of outer cylindrical wall 106,and extends directly radially outward from outer cylindrical wall 106 soas to provide a flat mounting surface for the cover. Although annularridge 114 is shown on side 108 b, it could instead be located on side108 a.

The radially outer extents of side walls 108 a and 108 b turn axiallyoutward in outer annular lips 118 a and 118 b, which strengthen spool12. Second side wall 108 b ends in second outer annular lip 118 b, whichturns axially away from hose retaining area 110 and first side wall 108a. Analogously, first side wall 108 a (not visible in FIG. 3; see FIGS.2 and 4) ends in first outer annular lip 118 a, which turns axially awayfrom hose retaining area 110 and second side wall 108 b. Because sidewalls 108 a and 108 b angle axially inward as they extend radiallyoutward, outer annular lips 118 do not add to the overall width of spool12. Ratchet element 24 is screwed or riveted to side wall 108 b tointeract with pawl 25, as discussed previously. FIG. 3 also shows crosssection line 4-4, which passes through the axis of spool 12.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of spool 12 alongcross-section line 4-4 from FIG. 3. FIG. 4 depicts spool 12, includingouter cylindrical wall 106, side walls 108 a and 108 b, outer annularlips 118 a and 118 b, inner end wall sections 120 a and 120 b, andmounting location 122, collar 124, and hole 126. FIG. 4 shows spoolhalves 102 a and 102 b exploded for clarity. When spool 12 is assembled,spool halves 102 a and 102 b are attached together, as previouslydiscussed. Mounting hardware 25 passes through mounting location 122 toanchor spool 12 to frame 14.

In embodiments wherein spool 12 is formed from two halves, inner endwall 120 may be split into two abutting sections: first inner end wallsection 120 a (which is a part of first spool half 102 a) and secondinner end wall section 120 b (which is a part of second spool half 102b). These sections are bolted or welded together to connect spool half102 a to spool half 102 b. In one embodiment, first inner end wallsection 120 a includes hole 126, and second inner end wall section 120 bincludes collar 124. Hole 126 is a central hole in second inner axialend wall section 120 a, and is large enough to admit collar 124. Collar124 is a central, axially extending portion of second inner axial endwall section 120 b which passes though hole 126 and forms a journal formounting hardware 25. In another embodiment, the location of collar 124and hole 126 is reversed: collar 124 is located on first inner end wallsection 120 a, while hole 126 is located in second inner end wallsection 120 b. A bushing or bearing is inserted in collar 124 to supportspool 12 as it spins.

As discussed previously, side walls 108 slope axially inward as theyextend radially outward, for added strength. This inward slant isdesigned to match the aforementioned natural pyramidal stacking profileof hose 18 about inner annular ring 106, and therefore does not impedespooling. The radially outermost edge of first side wall 108 a ends infirst outer annular lip 118 a, and the radially outermost edge of secondside wall 108 b ends in second outer annular ridge 118 b. Outer annularridges 118 a and 118 b further strengthen spool 12.

FIG. 4 also indicates region R, encompassing a section of outercylindrical wall 106 and second side wall 108 b.

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of region R from FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows aportion of inner annular ring 106 and side wall 108 b with outer annularlip 118 b, annular ridge 114, and one mounting hole 116. Annular ridge114 is formed by extending side wall 108 b a short distance directlyradially outward from the outermost extent of outer cylindrical wall106, rather than slanting side wall 108 b axially inward over the entireradial expanse from the intersection of inner annular ring 106 b withside wall 108 a to outer annular lip 118 a. A spool cover can beattached to side wall 108 b with bolts passing through mounting holes116. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the axially inward slant of second sidewall 108 b prevents second outer annular lip 118 b from adding to theaxial bulk of spool 12. The same is true of first side wall 108 a andfirst outer annular lip 118 a. This compact design also enables flanges30 (discussed above with respect to FIG. 1) to face axially inwardwithout contacting side walls 108 a or 108 b, thereby further reducingthe overall axial bulk of hose reel 10.

III. Frame 14

FIG. 6 is a plan view of frame base 26 from FIG. 1, depicting fasteningtabs 202, ridged surface 204, first side attachment region 206, andsecond side attachment region 208. Frame base 26 is, in one embodiment,a sheet of pressed or cast metal. Frame side 28 a is welded into placeat first side attachment region 206. Frame side 28 b is attached toframe base 26 at second side attachment region 208 via fastenersthreaded through fastening tabs 202. Fastening tabs 202 are, in oneembodiment, stamped from frame base 26 and bent at 90 degrees from baseframe 26 to project parallel to frame side 28 b. In another embodiment,fastening tabs 202 are separate metal pieces welded onto frame base 26.Ridged surface 204 is a raised region pressed or cast into frame base 26to strengthen frame 14 against bending.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are exterior side and front views, respectively, offrame side 28 a and frame base 26, connected to form an L-shaped piece.FIG. 3 a depicts frame base 26, and frame side 28 a having flanges 30 a,mounting point 210 a, ridges 212 a, and studs 29. FIG. 3 b depicts framebase 26 having ridged surface 204, fastening tabs 202 (with fastenerholes 214), and frame side 28 a (with flanges 30 a and studs 29).Mounting hardware 23 attaches to or feeds through mounting point 210 ato anchor spool 12. If mounting hardware 23 is an axle or shaft, forinstance, mounting point 110 a is a hole through which mounting hardware23 passes. As previously described, flanges 30 a strengthen frame 14 andsupport side 108 a. Flanges 30 a are angled diagonally inward toward theinterior of hose reel assembly 10, as indicated by first side attachmentregion 206 on FIG. 6. Ridges 212 a further strengthen frame side 28 aagainst bending. As shown in FIG. 2 a, ridges 212 a comprisecorrugations that extend into side 28 a. Fastening tabs 202 havefastener holes 214 to allow threaded fasteners to pass through fasteningtabs 202 to secure frame side 28 b (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). Studs 29help to secure guide arm 16 to frame 14, as described below with respectto FIGS. 10 a-d.

FIG. 8 is an exterior side view of frame side 28 b, depicting flanges 30b, mounting point 210 b, ridges 212 b, and fastener holes 214 b. Flanges30 b and ridges 212 b strengthen frame side 28 b just as flanges 30 aand ridges 212 a strengthen frame side 28 a. Mounting hardware 23attaches to or feeds through mounting points 210 a, thereby connectingspool 12 to both sides of frame 14. Fastener holes 214 b in flanges 30 ballow frame side 28 b to be mounted on fastening tabs 102. Fasteners 216(not shown on FIG. 8; see FIG. 9) pass through fastener holes 214 tosecure frame side 28 b to frame base 26, holding frame side 28 b in sideattachment region 208 of FIG. 6. Fasteners 216 may be bolts, screws, orother threaded fasteners.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of frame 14, comprising frame base 26,frame sides 28 a and 28 b (with mounting points 210 a and 210 b,respectably, and studs 29), fastener holes 214, and fasteners 216. Aspreviously discussed, frame side 28 a is welded to frame base 26 to forman L-shaped piece. Frame side 28 b is attached to this L-shaped piece byinserting fasteners 216 through fastener holes 214 a (not visible) and214 b. This construction simplifies the mounting of spool 12 (viamounting hardware 23 attached to or fed through mounting points 210 aand 210 b). Frame sides 28 a and 28 b together lock spool 12 in position(leaving spool 12 free to rotate) whenever frame side 28 b is secured inplace. Installing or removing spool 12 is accomplished by unscrewingfasteners 216 from fastener holes 214, removing mounting hardware 23from mounting point 210 b, and disengaging frame side 28 b from framebase 26 and mounting hardware 23. Studs 29 interact with indents orholes 31 (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) to hold guide arm 16 in place relativeto frame 14.

IV Guide Arm 16

FIGS. 10 a through 10 d illustrate L-shaped piece 32 of guide arm 16.FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d are interior side, front, top, andexterior side views of L-shaped piece 32, respectively.

L-shaped piece 32 has side section 302 (with ridges 308, attachment area310, pawl mount 402 b, spring mount 404 b, and holes 31), front section304 (with front hole 312) and side tab 306 (with fastener holes 318).L-shaped piece 32 is attached to I-shaped piece 34 by threadingfasteners 322 (see FIG. 12) through L-shaped piece 32 into fastenerholes 320. Ridges 308 extend the length of side section 302, andstrengthen guide arm 16 against bending. As shown in FIG. 10 a, ridges308 comprise corrugations that extend into side section 302.

Guide arm 16 is attached to frame 14 at attachment area 310. In oneembodiment, holes 31 on guide arm 16 accept studs 29 on frame 14. Studs29 and holes 31 are arranged in a circular array, and hold guide arm 16in place at any of a range of predetermined angles with respect to spool12. When L-shaped piece 32 is attached to I-shaped piece 34, guide arm16 can rotate in discrete angular intervals about the axis of spool 12(defined by mounting hardware 23), such that studs 29 supports guide arm16 at a desired position. In some embodiments, guide arm 16 may befurther or alternatively supported by clips or bolted fasteners, or maybe anchored in place by mounting hardware 23.

Hose 18 passes through front hole 312, and is therefore constrained byguide arm 16 constrained to approach spool 12 from a limited range ofangles. This forces hose 18 to spool in a regular, tidy fashion on spool12, and prevents harmful loads from being applied to spool 12 or frame14.

Pawl 25 (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) may be attached to guide arm 16 or frame14 to restrict the rotation of spool 12. Pawl mount 402 b is onemounting location for pawl 25, and spring mount 404 b is one mountinglocation for a spring (not shown) which retains pawl 25 against ratchetelement 24. Pawl 25 and its interaction with ratchet element 24 aredescribed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 13 a-15 b.

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b illustrate I-shaped piece 34 of guide arm 16. FIG.11 a is an exterior side view of I-shaped piece 34, indicating line 11b-11 b. FIG. 11 b is a cross-sectional view of I-shaped piece 34 takenthrough line 11 b-11 b.

I-shaped piece 34 has ridges 308, attachment area 310, fastener holes320, fasteners 322, and holes 31. I-shaped piece 34 attaches to L-shapedpiece 32 by securing fasteners 322 through fastener holes 318 and 320.In this fashion, L-shaped piece 32 and I-shaped piece 34 are joinedtogether to form the guide-arm 14, which is U-shaped. Like L-shapedpiece 32, I-shaped piece 34 incorporates ridges 308 for added strength,as shown, and attaches to frame 14 at attachment area 310. As shown inFIG. 11 a, ridges 308 comprise corrugations that protrude from I-shapedpiece 34. Holes 31 interact with studs 29 as described above, to retainguide arm 16. I-shaped piece 34 is similar to side section 304 ofL-shaped piece 32, but lacks side pawl mount 402 b and spring mount 402b, which are present on side section 304 of L-shaped piece 32.

FIG. 12 is a perspective drawing of assembled guide arm 16, showingL-shaped piece 32, I-shaped piece 34, attachment area 310, fastenerholes 320, and fasteners 322. As previously discussed, guide arm 16 isassembled by fastening together L-shaped piece 32 and I-shaped piece 34.As with frame 14, this construction simplifies the mounting of spool 12:installing or replacing spool 12 requires only that I-shaped piece 34and (I-shaped) frame piece 28 b be disengaged while spool 12 is removedor replaced.

Although frame 14 and guide arm 16 have been described as substantiallysymmetric U-shaped structures, they may alternatively be manufactured asL-shaped, asymmetric parts. In such an embodiment, frame 14 does notinclude frame side 28 b, and guide arm 16 does not include I-shapedpiece 34. Frame 14 attaches to spool 12 and guide arm 14 on only oneside, and mounting hardware 23 must therefore be an asymmetric pin orcantilevered shaft, rather than a shaft or axle supported on both sidesof spool 12. This embodiment trades some degree of frame strength forsimpler installation and removal of spool 12.

V. Latch Assembly 400

FIG. 13 a is a partial perspective view of hose reel assembly 10,omitting spool 12 and showing frame 14 and guide arm 16 with partsremoved. Side 28 a of frame 14 is not shown, and only a part of L-shapedpiece 32 of guide arm 16 is shown. FIGS. 13 b and 13 c are side views ofFIG. 13 a. FIG. 13 b shows pawl 25 mounted on frame 14, while FIG. 13 cshows pawl 25 mounted on guide arm 16. Frame 14 comprises base 26 andvisible side 28 b with pawl mount 402 a and spring mount 404 a. Guidearm 16 comprises attachment location 310 and visible L-shaped piece 32(with pawl mount 402 b and spring mount 404 b). Latch assembly 400comprises spring 408, bolt 410, and pawl 25, and can be affixed toeither of frame 14 and guide arm 16.

Guide arm 16 is attached to frame 14 at attachment location 310. In oneembodiment, mounting hardware 25 runs through attachment location 310 tosecure guide arm 16 to frame 14. In another embodiment, guide arm 16 isattached to frame 14 by one or more pins. As discussed with respect toFIGS. 1 a and 1 b, studs 29 may anchor guide arm 16 with respect toframe 14.

Either of frame 14 and guide arm 16 can mount latch assembly 400. Pawl25 can be mounted either on frame 14 or on guide arm 16 by insertingbolt 410 through pawl 25 into pawl mount 402 a or 402 b, respectively.Pawl 25 engages ratchet element 24, as discussed previously, to haltrotation of spool 12. Spring 408 attaches to pawl 25 and either springmount 404 a (if pawl 25 is mounted on frame 14) or spring mount 404 b(if pawl 25 is mounted on guide arm 16). Spring mounts 404 a and 404 bare attachment points which anchor one end of spring 408. In oneembodiment, spring mounts 404 a and 404 b are stamped tabs bent out fromframe 14 and guide arm 16, respectively. By stretching between pawl 25and spring mount 404 a or 404 b, spring 408 exerts a counter-rotationalforce on pawl 25 to keep pawl 25 engaged with ratchet element 24, asexplained further in description accompanying FIGS. 15 a and 15 b.

Although pawl mounts 402 a and 402 b are shown on side 28 a and L-shapedpiece 32, respectively, pawl mounts 402 a and 402 b could equivalentlybe situated on side 28 b and I-shaped piece 34, respectively. Attachmentlocations 402 a, 402 b, 404 a, and 404 b must all, however, be locatedon the same side of hose reel assembly 10 as ratchet element 24.

FIG. 14 a is a front view of pawl 25, showing line 14 b-14 b. FIG. 14 bis a cross-sectional view of pawl 25 through line 14 b-14 b. FIG. 14 cis a perspective view of pawl 25 with bushing 418 (described below)exploded. FIGS. 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c illustrate pawl 25, which comprisesbushing 418 and pawl body 412 with pin hole 414, tip 415, spring hole416, and pocket 417. Pawl body 412 is formed, in one embodiment, of castmetal. Tip 415 is a substantially triangular tip of body 412, which hasa wide edge for catching ratchet element 24. To conserve material andreduce weight, not all of pawl body 412 is as wide as tip 415; as seenin FIG. 14 a, pawl body 412 is flanged with pocket 417 to reduce thebulk of pawl 25 without narrowing tip 415. Tip 415 engages teeth onratchet element 24 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 15 a and 15 b.Bushing 418 may be inserted between bolt 410 (see FIGS. 13 a and 13 b)and pawl body 412, allowing pawl body 412 to rotate smoothly on bolt410. Bolt 410 passes through bolt hole 414 (see FIGS. 14 a, 14 b, and 14c) to secure pawl 25 either to pawl mount 402 a on frame 14 or to pawlmount 402 b on guide arm 16. Spring 408 attaches to pawl 25 at springhole 416. Pawl 25 can be mounted either on frame 14 or on guide arm 16,as illustrated in FIGS. 13 b and 13 c.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b illustrate pawl 25 engaging ratchet element 24.FIGS. 15 a and 15 b show ratchet element 24, pawl 25 (with pawl body 412and spring hole 416), spring mount 404, spring 408, and bolt 410. Springmount 404 may be either spring mount 404 a or spring mount 404 b. Aspreviously discussed, bolt 410 mounts pawl 25 on either frame 14 orguide arm 16. Spring 408 stretches between spring hole 416 in pawl body412 and spring mount 404 a or 404 b. Pawl body 412 rotates about bolt410 when in contact with ratchet element 24, stretching spring 408 sothat spring force tends to retain pawl 25 against ratchet 24. Whetherratchet pawl 25 engages with ratchet element 24 to prevent rotation inthe W direction depends on the direction from which ratchet element 24rotated into alignment with pawl 25. This direction determines whetherpawl 25 is angled toward the UW direction (as in FIG. 15 a) or towardthe W direction (as in FIG. 15 b).

FIG. 15 a shows pawl 25 having rotated in the UW direction intoalignment with ratchet element 24. Accordingly, pawl 25 will catch withthe teeth of ratchet element 24 to prevent spool 12 from rotating in theW direction, so long as ratchet element 24 remains aligned with pawl 25.FIG. 15 b shows pawl 25 having rotated in the W direction into alignmentwith ratchet element 24. The angle of the teeth of ratchet element 24relative to pawl 25 prevents pawl 25 from catching on ratchet element24, in FIG. 15 b. When pawl 25 catches on ratchet element 24 (FIG. 15a), pawl 25 can be disengaged by rotating spool 12 in the UW directionuntil ratchet element 24 is no longer aligned with pawl 25, whereuponspool 12 may rotate freely in the W direction, without pawl 25 catchingratchet element 24 (FIG. 15 b). This functionality is the same, whetherpawl 25 is mounted on frame 14 or guide arm 16.

When hose 18 is fully extended from spool 12, hose 18 stretches directlyfrom hose mount 112 to hole 20 in guide arm 16 (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b).By mounting ratchet element 24 on the radially opposite side of spool 12from hose mount 112 (see FIG. 2 a), it is therefore possible to ensurethat ratchet element 24 never aligns with guide arm 16 while hose 18 isfully extended. If pawl 25 is installed on guide arm 16 (at latch mount402 b), spool 12 can never be latched into a position from which itcannot unlatch due to a lack of play in the hose. For this reason, it isadvantageous to mount pawl 25 on guide arm 16.

For some applications, however, guide arm 16 may not be used. In suchcases, pawl 25 cannot be mounted on (absent) guide arm 16, and mustinstead be mounted on frame 14. Although frame 14 is a less desirablelocation for pawl 25 than guide arm 16 for the reasons described above,frame 14 is an acceptable alternative location for pawl 25.

VI. Conclusion

The hose reel described herein provides several advantages. Ridging onframe 14 and guide arm 16 strengthens hose reel 10 against bending, andinward-facing flanges 30 provide stability and strength withoutincreasing hose reel bulk. The spool shape of the present inventionmakes use of the natural stacking profile of coiled hose to minimizebulk and improve durability without restricting hose movement. Theaxially inward-sloped sides of hose reel spool 12 provide increasedstrength without additional spool width, and allow spool 12 to bemounted frame 14 despite axially inward-facing support flanges 30, for astrong, compact hose reel assembly.

Constructing frame 14 and guide arm 16 from L-shaped and I-shaped piecessimplifies the assembly of hose reel 10 and allows easy access to spool12. Spool 12 can be removed by unscrewing fasteners 322 and 216 fromguide arm 16 and frame 14, respectively, and disconnecting mountinghardware 23 from mounting point 310. I-shaped piece 34 and frame side 28b can then be removed, allowing spool 12 to be detached from fasteninghardware 23. Installing spool 12 follows the opposite procedure: spool12 is first attached to fastening hardware 23, then frame side 28 b andfinally I-shaped piece 34 are fastened in place on base 26 and L-shapedpiece 32 with fasteners 216 and 322, respectively.

By providing attachment points for pawl 25 and spring 408 on both guidearm 16 and frame 14, the present invention allows hose reel 10 be usedwith or without guide arm 16, while enabling optimal latch placement foreither case. Latch assembly 400 is manufactured identically, whetherattached to guide arm 16 or frame 14. A user can quickly and easily swaplatch assembly 400 from frame 14 to guide arm 16, or vice versa, byremoving bolt 410 from pawl mount 402 a or 402 b and detaching spring408 from spring mount 404 a or 404 b.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A hose reel comprising: a hose reel frame; and a hose reel spoolrotatably mounted on the house reel frame, the hose reel spoolcomprising: a cylindrical wall defining an axis, the cylindrical wallhaving first and second axial ends; a first concave side wall located atthe first axial end of the annular ring, and extending radially outwardfrom the cylindrical wall; and a second concave side wall located at thesecond axial end of the annular ring, and extending radially outwardfrom the cylindrical wall; wherein the first and second dished sidewalls slant axially inward to converge towards one another.
 2. The hosereel of claim 1, wherein the radially outermost edges of the first andsecond side walls turns axially outward in lips.
 3. The hose reel ofclaim 2, wherein neither lip is the axially outermost extent of the hosereel spool.
 4. The hose reel of claim 1, wherein the hose reel framecomprises: a frame side to support the hose reel spool; a mount in theframe side for rotatably attaching the annular ring; and a flangeextending axially inward toward the spool from the mount toward theannular ring for strengthening the hose reel frame; wherein the axiallyinward slants of the first and second side walls prevent the hose reelspool from contacting the flange.
 5. The hose reel of claim 4, furthercomprising a guide arm with a section radially outward of the first andsecond side walls to guide hose into the hose reel spool, the hose reelframe extending no wider axially than the guide arm.
 6. The hose reel ofclaim 1, wherein the first side wall extends directly radially outwardto form a flat attachment surface before slanting axially inward towardthe second side wall.
 7. The hose reel of claim 1, further comprising aratchet element affixed to an outer surface of one of the side walls. 8.The hose reel of claim 4, further comprising a ratchet element affixedto an outer surface of one of the side walls; and a hose mount formounting the hose on the cylindrical wall, the hose mount located on aportion of the cylindrical wall radially opposite from the ratchetelement.
 9. The hose reel of claim 8, wherein the ratchet element is acircular arc, toothed to catch a pawl.
 10. A hose reel spool providing ahose retaining area for coiling a hose, the hose retaining area defined:at an inner radial extent by a cylindrical wall; at a front axial extentby a dished, axially backward-slanting first side wall extendingradially outward from the cylindrical wall; and at a back axial extentopposite the front axial extent, by a dished, axially forward-slantingsecond side wall extending radially outward from the cylindrical wall.11. The hose reel spool of claim 10, further comprising a hose mount formounting hose of a particular hose width on the cylindrical wall,wherein the axial width of the hose retaining area at its inner radialextent is slightly greater than four times the particular hose width.12. The hose reel spool of claim 10, wherein the radially outermostedges of the first and second side walls end in axially outward-turninglips.
 13. The hose reel spool of claim 10, wherein the hose reel spoolcomprises: a first half making up the first side wall and a part of thecylindrical wall; and a second half making up the second side wall andthe remainder of the cylindrical wall.
 14. The hose reel spool of claim10, further comprising a ratchet element affixed to an outer surface ofthe first side wall.
 15. The hose reel spool of claim 14, furthercomprising a hose attachment point on the cylindrical wall for attachingthe hose to the hose reel spool, the attachment point located radiallyopposite the ratchet element.
 16. A hose reel spool for holding a hose,the hose reel spool comprising: a first piece having a first cylindricalportion and a first side wall extending radially outward from an end ofthe cylindrical portion; and a second piece having a second cylindricalportion and a second side wall extending radially outward from an end ofthe cylindrical portion; wherein the first and second pieces areconnected so that the first and second cylindrical portions meet to forma single cylindrical wall, and the first and second side walls convergetowards each other.
 17. The hose reel spool of claim 16, wherein thefirst side wall includes a ratchet element capable of catching on anearby pawl.
 18. The hose reel spool of claim 16, wherein the radiallyoutermost edge of the first side wall turns axially outward, away fromthe second side wall, in a first strengthening lip; and the radiallyoutermost edge of the second side wall turns axially outward, away fromthe first side wall in a second strengthening lip.
 19. The hose reelspool of claim 16, wherein the second side wall includes an annularridge which protrudes axially away from the first side wall.
 20. Thehose reel spool of claim 16, wherein the single annular wall has a widthslightly greater than four times the width of the hose.